193 - Evaluation of Follow-Up Care After Dental Rehabilitation: Alaska Native Children

Purpose: To evaluate the success of follow-up care in Alaska Native children ages 0-10 years old who received full mouth dental rehabilitation (FMDR) under general anesthesia (GA) at the Alaska Native Medical Center from 2012 to 2017.

Methods: Data was collected retrospectively from medical and dental records of Alaska Native children who met the inclusion criteria. Follow-up visits were evaluated at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. DEFT scores were calculated at each visit. Successful follow-up was defined as returning to the dental clinic within at least three of the four evaluation intervals. Other demographic data collected includes age, sex, and geographically-based residence in Alaska (Anchorage, ASU, non-ASU).

Results: During the study period, 3,207 Alaska Native children received FMDR under GA. For follow-up, 552 children (17%) returned within 6 months, 737 (23%) returned by 12 months, 1,134 (35%) returned by 24 months, and 1,128 (35%) returned by 36 months. Only 543 children (17%) maintained regular follow-up over the 36-month period. A total of 1,456 (45%) never returned during the study period. Geographic residence was statistically significant for all study outcomes (P≤.001). Sex was not significant. Age was significant (P≤.001) only for those who returned at 6 months. DEFT scores were significant (P≤.001) for children who returned at 12, 24, and 36 months.

Conclusions: Follow-up care was not regularly maintained for most Alaska Native children who underwent FMDR under GA between 2012 and 2017. More research is needed to assess and improve post-operative dental care in the pediatric Alaska Native population.